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Stephen Farrand

'We have to do something about the motorbikes influencing the racing' – An investigation into the dark art of using moto slipstreams in bike races

Slovenian Tadej Pogacar pictured in action during the elite men road race (267,5 km) at the cycling road World Championships in Kigali, Rwanda, Sunday 28 September 2025. The 2025 UCI Road World Championships take place from 21 to 28 September in Kigali, Rwanda. BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM (Photo by DIRK WAEM / BELGA MAG / Belga via AFP) (Photo by DIRK WAEM/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images).

"Tadej Pogačar doesn't need help from a TV moto, he's already fast enough and already wins enough…"

Before the start of Il Lombardia, the frustrations of a respected sports director were clear when they spoke to Cyclingnews, and not just because Pogačar had won the Tre Valli Varesine with a downhill attack and a little 'help' from a TV motorbike and because he was about to win a fifth consecutive Lombardia. The 2025 season was coming to an end, but the impact of television and race motorbikes affecting the outcome of major races is still a major problem.

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